IMIS - Marine Research Groups

"As part of the project “Sharks and Rays back into the North Sea” this study aims to track the survival, distribution and seasonal migration of stocked juvenile thornback ray (Raja clavata) in the Westerschelde and adjacent waters. The overal goal of this project is to gain more insight into the possibilities of successful reinforcement of relict populations of Dutch elasmobranch species, following the IUCN guidelines. For this present study thirty thornback rays, raised from eggs, and approximately one year of age, were surgically equipped with Vemco V9H2 tags. Prior to their release the rays were held in captivity for a minimum of 2 weeks to ensure wound healing and their full recovery. The study deploys the VEMCO receiver array installed by VLIZ in the Westerschelde estuary and the Belgian Part of the North Sea. "